News
N300m palliative: Ministry releases Bill of Quantity for FG’s palliatives to NASS constituencies
National Assembly members facing public criticism regarding the controversial Federal Government palliatives for distribution in their respective constituencies have found a resolution. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has initiated the issuance of a bill of quantity to successful contractors responsible for procuring and distributing the palliatives to federal constituencies.
The bill of quantity, observed by reporters, delineates the components of the palliatives, including “62 bags parboiled long grain rice with a golden standard, enriched with vitamins and minerals, free from fat, stone-free, not contaminated in any way, and packaged in polypropylene laminated bags.”
The controversy arose when Hon. Dekeri Anamer, a House of Representatives member from Edo State, urged constituents to inquire about the whereabouts of the approved bags of rice, leading to unrest. The delay in the procurement process led to misinformation and accusations against lawmakers who were awaiting the Ministry of Agriculture’s finalization of the distribution.
Contractors, responding to reporters, expressed optimism that the Ministry’s actions would ease tension, rectify misinformation, and address the prolonged wait for palliatives in many constituencies. While some federal constituencies have received palliatives after the issuance of award letters, the majority are still awaiting distribution, contributing to conflicting information and accusations against lawmakers.
The Edo lawmaker’s disclosure of N300 million worth of palliatives sparked intense controversy and confusion. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives denied claims of members receiving and hoarding the palliative items, citing ongoing procurement processes and bureaucratic delays from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Olusegun Dada, President Bola Tinubu’s special assistant on social media, confirmed the distribution of N200 million worth of palliative items to senators and N100 million worth to House of Representatives members. The House emphasized that the rice palliative released by President Tinubu is not missing but cited bureaucratic bottlenecks for the delay in distribution.
Philip Agbese, deputy spokesperson for the House, explained the ongoing process, emphasizing that while some lawmakers have received the rice, others are still awaiting delivery due to varying distances and bureaucratic challenges within the ministry.
Benson Upah, spokesperson for the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has cautioned that Nigerians might eventually face petrol prices of N5,000 per litre.
In an interview with Weekend Trust, Upah criticized the recent increase in fuel pump prices and argued that it contradicts the agreement previously made between the NLC and President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He asserted that the Federal Government’s claims of restoring the fuel subsidy are untrue.
Upah remarked, “The subsidy was never reinstated as they have stated. So, what justifies the rise in pump prices from N650 to N1,500 or even N2,000?
“This situation suggests that we might not have seen the worst yet. There is a possibility that fuel prices could reach N5,000 per litre. We hope it doesn’t come to that, but if it does, it will be up to Nigerians to make the decision.”
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the receipt of a two million Naira bank draft from Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, a former student loan beneficiary.
This information was disclosed in a statement by Monalisa Dike from the Corporate Communications Department of NELFUND on Friday in Abuja.
Dike noted that Awomolo had received the loan during his undergraduate studies at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) from 1975 to 1977.
She mentioned that Awomolo had fully repaid the loan, showing his strong commitment to the country.
“The original loan amount was N1,000 for two academic sessions, which played a crucial role in his completion of the law degree.
“Although Awomolo had attempted to repay the loan several times over the years, he was only able to settle it now.
“In his letter to NELFUND’s Managing Director, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, Awomolo expressed his appreciation for the student loan opportunity provided by the Nigerian government,” Dike said.
She added that Awomolo praised the transparency and accountability NELFUND has shown in managing student loans.
Dike emphasized that Awomolo’s repayment highlights the enduring impact of President Bola Tinubu’s initiative and NELFUND’s continued importance in supporting Nigerian students.
She also mentioned that the repaid funds will be used to support the education of current students in need of loans.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has issued a warning to the public about scammers pretending to represent the NDDC Youth Internship Scheme.
The NDDC also noted that registration for the scheme ended on August 31, 2024.
This information was released in a statement on Friday by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Director of Corporate Affairs at the commission, and shared with DAILY POST.
The statement reads, in part: “We have received reports of individuals receiving unsolicited messages claiming they have been selected for the NDDC Internship Scheme, which includes requests for personal information and an acceptance fee.
“The NDDC does not charge any fees for placing qualified youths in its internship programme. We want to make it clear that these fraudulent selection messages are not affiliated with the NDDC.
“Any official communication from us will only come through our verified websites and social media channels. If you receive a message like this, please ignore it and report it to the relevant authorities. Your safety and privacy are our top priorities.
“For genuine inquiries about our empowerment programs, please contact us directly through our official channels.”
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